The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the SoilIn a rain-soaked countryside where locals embrace the weather and rugged life, a worldly young visitor clashes with spirited Colin, a native boy whose resilience and connection to…
Level C1RomanceA Son of the ImmortalsIn early 20th-century Paris, artist Joan Vernon balances her passion for painting with encounters that hint at romance and rivalry, all set against the vibrant backdrop of the Lati…
Level C1ClassicsA Son of the HillsIn the shadow of Lost Mountain, a forgotten community struggles with poverty, pride, and the legacy of a fading aristocracy.
Level C1HistoricalA Son of the Gods, and A Horseman in the SkyAmidst the tense silence of a halted army facing a foreboding stone wall and hedge, soldiers prepare to confront an elusive enemy in a landscape scarred by relentless battle.
Level C1Science FictionA Son of the Ages: The Reincarnations and Adventures of Scar, the Link: A Story of Man From the BeginningJourney through eons as life evolves from primeval seas to fierce prehistoric battles, following a unique link in human ancestry whose mind begins to stir amid savage survival and…
Level C1FantasyA Son of Perdition: An Occult RomanceAn artist struggling to capture the enchanting Cornish landscape finds his vision intertwined with the ethereal presence of a mysterious girl who speaks of unseen nature spirits, d…
Level C1HistoricalA Son of Mars, volume 2Caught between family loyalty and duty, a soldier faces the turmoil of forbidden love and impending war as his regiment prepares for a dangerous campaign in Ashanti.
Level C1ClassicsA Son of Mars, volume 1In a bustling military barracks, a mysterious woman claims a boy raised by a humble family as her own, igniting secrets and tensions beneath the surface of everyday soldierly life.
Level C1RomanceA Son of Hagar: A Romance of Our TimeA man of strong passions struggles between good and evil, facing temptation and societal judgment in the rugged mountains of Cumberland and the harsh streets of London.
Level C1HistoricalA Son at the FrontAn American portrait painter in Montmartre awaits his son's arrival from England just as Europe teeters on the brink of war, capturing a world where art, ambition, and the looming…
Level C1HistoricalA Soldier's Trial: An Episode of the Canteen CrusadeIn the aftermath of the Spanish-American War, Colonel Ray, a seasoned and honorable officer burdened by family financial woes, seeks new hope as he invites his determined relative…
Level C1ClassicsA Society Clown: ReminiscencesStep behind the curtain with a society clown who shares witty, candid recollections of a life on and off the stage, blending humor, humility, and heartfelt moments to entertain and…
Level C1ClassicsA Small Boy and OthersA tender journey into childhood memories unfolds, capturing the vivid scenes, unique characters, and intimate family moments that shaped a young life.
Level C1HistoricalA Sketch of the Life and Times of Judge HaliburtonExplore the rich heritage and colonial history of Nova Scotia through the life of Judge Haliburton, tracing his family roots, education, and the early settlement of Windsor amid a…
Level C1HistoricalA Sister to Evangeline: Being the Story of Yvonne de Lamourie, and how she went into exile with the villagers of Grand PréAmid the apple blossoms of Grand Pré, a soldier-poet returns to his ancestral village, wrestling with memory, loss, and the uncertain ties of family and friendship in the fading wo…
Level C1MysteryA SirenAs Carnival’s last night ignites the ancient city of Ravenna, masked nobles and mysterious guests gather for a final, dazzling ball where secrets simmer beneath the gaiety, and a f…
Level C1ClassicsA Singular MetamorphosisIn an old mansion shadowed by secrets, Miss Fiske's curiosity grows as she senses a mystery behind the Tracys' guarded home and the unexplained warnings to avoid certain rooms, dra…
Level C1RomanceA Singular LifeIn a lively theological seminary, seven students grapple with faith, science, and the mysteries of heredity, revealing clashes between belief and emerging ideas.
Level C1RomanceA SimpletonA restless young beauty waits anxiously in a picturesque English villa, her restless mind hinting at deeper intrigues beyond her delicate embroidery.
Level C1RomanceA Simple StoryAn intimate portrait of a small circle of lives unfolds in a refined, emotionally charged tale where passion and restraint intertwine, capturing the intensity of love and the compl…
Level C1ClassicsA Simple SoulIn a modest French town, Felicite, a devoted servant, navigates the hardships of rural life with unwavering loyalty and quiet strength, revealing the hidden depths of a simple soul…
Level C1ClassicsA Silent SingerA young girl enters the troubled home of a struggling minister and his seven sons, where poverty and hardship weigh heavily.
Level C1GothicA Sicilian RomanceIn a crumbling Sicilian castle, the noble Mazzini family’s dark past unfolds through tales of luxury, vice, and complex family dynamics.
Level C1PoetryA Shropshire LadAmid the tranquil landscapes of Shropshire, vivid poems explore the bittersweet realities of youth, friendship, and loss, capturing life’s contrasts with lyrical simplicity and an…
Level C1HistoricalA Short History of French LiteratureExplore the evolution of French literature from its anonymous medieval origins to the distinctive voices of the Renaissance and the structured schools of the seventeenth and eighte…
Level C1HistoricalA Shepherd's Life: Impressions of the South Wiltshire DownsVast, windswept chalk downs stretch across Wiltshire, a landscape both desolate and quietly captivating, where a lone bird-scarer stands sentinel against the elements.
Level C1HistoricalA Sheaf of BluebellsAmidst Napoleon's reign and the shadowy intrigues of his Minister of Police, two noble families seek to reclaim their place in France under a fragile amnesty, navigating a world wh…
Level C1PhilosophyA SheafA reflective exploration of human indifference to animal suffering unfolds through vivid encounters and moral questioning, challenging readers to reconsider the cost of pleasure at…
Level C1AdventureA Set of SixSix gripping tales weave adventure, mystery, and human nature across distant lands and seas, each rooted in true events and vivid memories shared by those who lived them.
Level C1AdventureA Set of Rogues: Namely Christopher Sutton, John Dawson, the Señor Don Sanchez Del Castillo De Castelaña and Moll Dawson; Their Wicked Conspiracy, and a True Account of Their Travels and AdventuresA troupe of actors turned wanderers struggles to survive plague-ravaged England, facing misfortune, mischief, and misadventure on the road.
Level C1ClassicsA Servant of the PublicIn a world where mercantile ambition shapes both family and fortune, the rise from humble origins to refined society unfolds with sharp wit and social insight.
Level C1ClassicsA Sentimental Journey Through France and ItalyEmbark on a witty, reflective journey through France and Italy, where a traveler grapples with cultural customs, personal generosity, and the quirks of human nature.
Level C1ClassicsA Selection from the Writings of Guy De Maupassant, Vol. IExplore the depths of human suffering and irony through vivid tales where joy turns to misery and noble intentions mask selfishness, all penned by a writer whose own life was shado…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Works of Frederick LockerDiscover a rich collection of poetic reflections and whimsical tales, from heartfelt invitations to meditations on time and memory, all vividly brought to life with charming illust…
Level C1PoetryA Selection from the Poems of William MorrisExplore the vivid world of medieval lore and artistic passion through poems that reflect the spirit of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and a unique poetic vision shaped by friendshi…
Level C1ClassicsA Selection from the Comedies of MarivauxDive into the witty, charming world of 18th-century French society through three of its finest comedies, where love, chance, and clever disguises intertwine in sparkling prose that…
Level C1ClassicsA Select PartyEnter a magnificent castle suspended in the clouds, where the Man of Fancy hosts a gathering of extraordinary guests, including the venerable Oldest Inhabitant.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays: Originally Published by Robert Dodsley in the year 1744Explore rare early English dramas, including the tragic and acclaimed “Damon and Pithias,” alongside insightful historical notes on their creation and dramatic impact during the El…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15Amidst intrigue and passion in 17th-century Valencia, Elvira’s complex tale unfolds with secrets, letters, and shifting loyalties that challenge appearances and question whether th…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 14Political intrigue and personal ambition collide in Seville as Spanish and French colonels navigate rebellion and betrayal under the watchful eyes of mysterious figures.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 13In a bustling 17th-century London household, young Tim Bloodhound navigates family intrigue, thrift, and matchmaking as his father arranges a marriage with a cunning widow while de…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 12A witty and allegorical comedy unfolds as a quirky old couple navigates unexpected transformations and humorous encounters, revealing the complexities of human nature through vivid…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 10In a corrupt Italian court, the vengeful Vendice wields a skull as he plots dark retribution against those who have wronged him, weaving a chilling tale of deceit, lust, and ruthle…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 09In a lively London setting, two young couples navigate the challenges of early marriage, revealing the humorous and heartfelt trials of choosing a good wife amid clashing temperame…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 08Dive into the turbulent life of Thomas Nash, a witty and controversial playwright whose sharp satire sparked fierce literary battles and led to imprisonment.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 06Explore five rare Old English plays blending allegory, history, and moral lessons, where abstract virtues and real characters collide on stage, revealing the complex evolution of e…
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 05A haunting ghost and the relentless force of Revenge set the stage for a gripping tale of political intrigue, betrayal, and tragic fate in the Spanish court.
Level C1ClassicsA Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 02Dive into a lively moral drama where Youth, full of pride and defiance, clashes with Charity, who urges him to embrace virtue before his fleeting days fade.
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.